Elder L. Tom Perry

About a year and a half ago now I was invited to sit in the President's Box at LaVell Edwards Stadium for the BYU v. Texas game. Multiple general authorities were going to be there, and I was all to excited to go. After buying a new outfit for the occasion I spent hours getting ready. I wanted everything to be just right. When I was satisfied I walked to the Hinckley Center to wait for the rest of my Student Alumni crew that were also invited. It was starting to get cloudy, but I paid little attention to it. I just turned my phone off when the flash flood warning went off and shoved it back in my purse. As I walked with the group to the stadium the dark clouds started rolling in. Fast. Right when it was mentioned that we should maybe walk faster the storm began with water coming down in sheets as if we were stuck directly under a waterfall. By the time we got to the stadium water was up to our ankles, and there was no hope for our hair or outfits. We walked in quickly to try to escape the view of our beloved leaders as we rushed to the bathroom. We dried off with paper towels as best we could and went back into the box keeping our heads down. I had invited Julie Anne to come with me, and we stayed right by each other. As time went on, we got colder and colder. We sat shaking, huddled together, waiting for the game to start. We got up to get some food and stand by the heaters. At that point a man that stood like a tower looked down at us. He spoke to us, and after seeing the look on our faces he smiled with his eyes twinkling. He said that we looked rather cold. We nodded and smiled. Julie went to get more caramel corn and talk to Elder Holland, but I stayed there. That man told me that his wife had been given a blanket, and she wasn't even wet! He then proceeded to offer me his coat jacket, one that was so long I probably could have worn it as a dress and with shoulders so broad Julie and I could have fit in it. I said no but thank you because I just could not imagine taking it. To this day I wish I had. That man was Elder L. Tom Perry. He was the member of the twelve present that night that not only went out of his way to talk to us instead of ignoring us like others did, but he was the one to offer the jacket right off his back to a shivering girl. He looked down at me but not on me. I learned a lesson that night. I learned that being Christ-like can be something so simple as offering to share your jacket. It can be smiling and twinkling your eyes at someone. It is loving. Elder Perry passed away today, but I will never forget the lesson he taught me that night. 

Artsy Fartsy

I didn't draw much in college. I don't think many people knew I could with the skilled stick men I drew on my notes when I was bored in class. After getting a less than satisfying score on my high school AP art portfolio it was hard to pick up a pencil again. You can only hear that your skies are too blue or your colors are too bright or pale or don't contrast enough so many times. After college I decided to pick up my pencils again and draw what I loved most. Flowers. I started with a sunflower in the sunshine. Then, I moved on to my mom and dad's anniversary present: Texas wildflowers. An elementary teacher saw pictures of them I put up on Facebook and asked me to commission two pieces. I just finished them. I may never commission a piece again, but I enjoyed doing it. Here are the pieces I have done since graduation. 

WOW MOM!

I know I am like a week late, but this is happening.

In Sunday School the other day the closing statement that was made was to be the person your mom knows you can be, and you will be alright. "Obey Heavenly Father, and listen to your mom!" This post is dedicated to my momma. It's dedicated to the one who not only knows of and sees my divine potential as a daughter of God but also helps me recognize it as well.

I am thankful for all I get to do with my mom. I am thankful that she is always there to push me to be a better person. The person I am meant to become. I am thankful she is there to have fun with me, laugh with and at me, and hug me when I cry. Mom is the person I can always go to. Period. She is always there to listen and give me some of the advice I need.

She has helped me achieve so much thus far in life, and I cannot wait to see where she helps me go next. She helps me accomplish my dreams. If I wanted to, she would find a way for me to reach up and touch the stars. I am thankful for my momma in every way. I do not know where I would be without her. I know I have dreams for myself, but I know here dreams for me are beyond compare.

Momma, thank you for everything. Thanks for being there to listen, shop, go on a drive, swing, talk, hug, comfort, help, support, laugh, and most of all LOVE. I love you more than I can express.

I'm Back!!!

In all honesty I have not been meaning to neglect this blog. I completely forgot about it for a while. Sorry about that. Let me update you. 

Easter came and went in a flash. It was a good Easter though. I loved being able to hear the words of the Prophet and the other leaders of the church about Christ on Easter Sunday. It was perfect. We had bluebonnet pictures taken. I had to wear my new Cinderella outfit. I know I am an adult, but what fun is being an adult if you stop believing in having a little magic in your life. Also, I am still waiting for my happily ever after, so I see nothing wrong with my choice of outfit. We took Vivien since it is her first time seeing bluebonnets. She would not stop eating them. We got one kind of good picture though. 

 Ry Guy got his Eagle Scout!! A ton of planning and preparation went into the Court of Honor for it, but mom and I pulled it off. Two sheetcakes (made by me), water with strawberries on top and blueberries underneath so it was red, white, and blue, and an awesome ceremony complete with a picture slideshow that I put together for him. He did it! Congrats, wittle brudder! 

 I am 21! Not that it really makes any difference, but it is exciting. I am hoping to get endowed at the beginning of June in the San Antonio temple. When I turned 21 it really sunk in that I am only 21 and I feel like I have accomplished a lot. I mean, I am graduated. I am working on my application to grad school, I have a real job that I love, and I have a plan. Now, my plans have never really worked out before, but it is worth a shot. I decided on ASU for grad school. I want to get my Master's in Family and Human Development and get certified as a Child Life Specialist. Woot woot. 

 I have had a ton of fun lately. Mom and I got to go to Sixflags. I rode on rides I never would before. I mean, some of those are terrifying. I went on the Titan. I remember when it first opened. I was at the park with my mom and Aunt Diana. We waited in line, but I chickened out at the last minute. I cried while they rode because I thought they were going to die. Yeah I rode that. I also rode on Mr. Freeze. That was scary. I rode it once.... That's all I need, right? On every ride I would scream which would make mom burst out laughing. A little while later I would hear her say, "Now my mouth is all dried out!" Then, I laughed. We also did the Red Balloon Run and Ride 5K for the hospital we work at. That's always a blast. We went to College Station for two of my friends' ring dunks. I don't know why A&M made it a tradition to put class rings in the bottom of pitcher's of beer and then have people chug them to get the ring, but they did. Ew. My friends don't drink so they did lemonade and non-sweet tea. The one who actually chugged still threw up like everyone else. Just gross. I'm glad BYU mailed me mine. Thank you, BYU, for having traditions like sliding down a hill covered in blue foam and hiking to the Y on the mountain. 

 Becca comes back from Mexico in 8 days, but since it is so late I'm going to say a week!!! Becca will be home! I have missed her. At the end of June we get to go to Washington to see my Aunt Diana and her family. She has one kiddo getting baptized and a baby getting blessed. I am just so excited to meet her little 2 year old who is a little "imp" as they call her. When Diana asks what she is doing she says, "I be naughty" and keeps on going. Or if Diana asks if she wants to make the good choice or the bad choice she replies, "I make bad choice!" She is just too cute. I am also hoping I get to see Julie Anne while I am there. That would be perfect. The weekend after we get back I get to head up to Utah for a couple of days to see Jan Jan get married!!! And I get to stay with Meghan for one last time because in August I will be going back up to Utah to see her get married! I am so excited for my friends!!! 

Also, did I mention how much I love my job?! I get to help kids cope while they are in the hospital. I have had sword fights and tea parties, I have been hit in the face with a bright green popsicle, I get to do arts and crafts, and I just get to have fun. I loved one day when a little girl lit up when she saw me walking down the hallway and yelled, "Miss Megan is back!!!" How can that not make your heart smile!?! 

I think that gets us all caught up! I will have to post pictures of my adventures as they come because they are coming!